Bowerbirds

Featuring unique use of acoustic instrumentation, compelling vocals and a batch of thoughtfully written songs, Hymn for a Dark Horse is a startling debut by Bowerbirds. Hailing from Raleigh, NC, this trio consist of couple Phil Moore and Beth Tacular, and their dear friend Mark Paulson. Anchored by Moore’s primary vocals and folk guitar, the band’s sound is exemplified by his playful voice and gift for melody. Beautiful songs like "My Oldest Memory” and the teasingly catchy "In Our Talons” are augmented by booming, off-kilter percussion and well-mannered accordion and piano. For a group of three, Bowerbirds sure know how to create a wall of vocal sound. The back-ups on songs like "Bur Oak” are stirring, particularly when they emerge suddenly from the group’s homespun found-sound aesthetic. Cloaked in mystery, Bowerbirds’ songs are inventive, drawing from a bank of thoughtful indie folk yet fully invested in their own confident vision.